My wifes 2001 cherokee failed to start yesterday while shopping, this is her main vehicle, 110,000 miles and used every day. It cranks over like crazy, but does not fire, no sign of life. I switched fuel relay and checked fuses. Fuel pump makes noise when key is turned on. I sprayed starting fluid in manifold and engine fired and ran poorly for about 10 seconds. so I figured it must be a fuel problem. Gas squirted out of the valve on injector rail. I put gas into the intake manifold and nothing happened, no firing. I sprayed ether again and it fired for a second or two. Any ideas? I'm in my 60's with fairly extensive mechanical knowledge, really tired of multiple fuses and relays for a fuel pump. Thanks, I hope this ends up somewhere appropriate, I searched last night but couldn't find the right answers.

 

crank position sensor CPS?

 

Is that a switch and replace type of thing or can they be tested? I'm not sure where it is? side of engine by the oil filter? thanks.

 

I took out the cps and it does not have the same shape connector as shown in some of the posts for a 2001 jeep cherokee. it has 3 contacts and if the snap is on the top and if the posts are A,B,C from the left, I get these reading. A to B - nothing, B to C - full continuity (just like holding the leads together), A to C - nothing. At the auto parts store they said a bad cps would not let the engine fire with ether. they didn't have one that I could test against the old one.

I tried to insert a picture of the connector but failed, can a picture be uploaded without being on the internet?

 

You'll need internet for an upload. I had a similar problem with my 2000. My camshaft position sensor went out. And it would start every 5 or so times of turning it over. Its about 7 dollars. Is it distributorless (coil rail)?

 

You do have spark or it wouldn't run on ether.

I would start by testing the camshaft position sensor. That sensor controls timing of the fuel injectors as well as other things. It's located right where the distributor used to be on the older models. You'll need a service manual and a meter.

 

Conclusion, renegadeT was right, cps was replaced with difficulty and it started right up. a different parts store guy let me test the new one before I bought it, reading from B to C should be nothing, no different than no connection. 1st parts store guy was wrong, it will fire on ether, starting fluid with a bad cps. Thanks for all the answers. I'm smarter today than yesterday.